Cross Country Arizona Horse Riding

Explore Arizona from the Mexican Border to the Superstitions Wilderness.

This trail is for experienced riders only. Due to the nature of the terrain as well as the length of the daily rides, riders must have trail and mountain riding experience. This trail will lead us through major mountain ranges on scenic mountain trails across Arizona. We will start out on the Mexican border and follow the original Arizona trail over 200 miles north towards the Grand Canyon. From charming high Desert with its variety of cacti and native wildlife to sub alpine mountain regions covered with pines and fir trees you'll experience fascinating Arizona.

“This is a “Point to Point” scenic ride with lots of time in the saddle on some challenging winding trails, some 2 track mountain trails, and flat stretches where galloping and cantering will be possible. But you can expect a great deal of trotting throughout the ride. Lots of opportunities for those Kodak Moments will make the experience unforgettable. We strive to make this ride as comfortable as possible while maintaining a “Camping ride adventure.” Tasty, wholesome meals, roomy three season tents w/cots and pillows, and a shower awaits your arrival in camp each day. Some of the amenities include tables and chairs for dining, hot water for freshening up after a good nights sleep and lots of hot coffee, tea and cocoa. We also have 2 portable chemical toilets in camp for your comfort, but we can't provide you with a Dude Ranch environment in the desert or mountains. There are multiple camp moves, but you are only asked to tend to your luggage. The Camp staff will handle everything else.

The Guides, wranglers and camp helpers are there to help you get into the routine of camp life so the transition from “city to wild” will be easier and more pleasant from the beginning. We want this to be the best trail adventure of your life.

1 week trails can be either the 1st week or the 2nd week of the 2 week trail.

+1 604-323-1141

Itinerary / Highlights

Santa Rita Mountains - Week 1

Day 1 Sat.: Pick up at Tucson International Airport at 7:00 PM and transport by van to our first camp site in the Huachuca Mountains near Parker Canyon Lake (2 hour drive). Pick up at Airport can be earlier if ALL guests arrive at an earlier time or previous day (please advise Hidden Trails of your arrival time in Tucson as soon as possible).

Day 2 Sun.: Introduction and pre-ride meeting at breakfast, then select or be matched with your horse for the trail. You will then tack up your horse (guides and wranglers will help if your not acquainted with western tack) for a short loop ride (8 -10 miles ) in the Huachucas to help get familiar with your horse and the type of terrain you'll be riding in.

Day 3 Mon.: After a good hot breakfast and coffee, we ride west along the Arizona Trail into the Canelo Hills to Canelo Pass following old mining roads over grass covered hillsand scenic canyons where we camp for the night in a canyon full of stars in the sky (make sure to have your camera ready for some great Kodak moments).

Day 4. Tue.: We saddle up and head toward historic Patagonia where we ride through town and up the mountain to our next camp at Gringo Gulch (lots of scenery and a few mines to see along this ride.)

Day 5. Wed.: After another great filling breakfast we head out on the Arizona Trail to Gardner Canyon below Mt. Wrightson. Part of this trail will take us along a historic and ingenious viaduct into Gardner Canyon where we will camp at an old working ranch corral for the next couple of days.

Day 6 Thu.: Today's ride will lead us over old mining roads up into the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness area. We'll be climbing another 2000 ft. on a small mountain trail and descend into Gardner Canyon via a historic aqueduct. Camp in Gardner Canyon. (25 miles)

Day 7, Fri.: This will be the last ride for "week 1" guests. This ride will be nice and relaxing on relatively level terrain. We'll stop at Kentucky Camp, (a historic mining camp) for lunch and then ride through oak pine and rich grass lands to Greaterville where we will camp for the night. (18 miles) For "Week One" riders: Transfer to the airport hotel in Tuscon after dinner. A hotel shuttle will take you to the airport the next day.

Superstition Mountains - Week 2

Day 8 Sat.: Today we'll transport to Battleaxe Road near the Gila River. In the afternoon we'll take a short ride along the Arizona trail through Saguaro covered hills to the Gila River for a swim. (10 miles)
In the evening we will meet the riders that booked the 2nd week only. The pick up for the 2nd week riders is at 7 PM from the Phoenix airport.

Day 9 Sun.: This ride will lead us over old cowboy trails from White Canyon to Picketpost Mountain. We will encounter beautiful yellow and ochre stratified rock outcroppings and other fantastic movie worthy rock formations. ( 2000 ft. elevation change. (16 miles )

Day 10. Mon.: We will make a loop ride around some old mines and beautiful scenic hills and canyons on the Arizona Trail. Again you will need your camera ready. This is an easy ride and preparatory for the next days ride.

Day 11. Tue.: Today is an early start day. We will make a long ride up Queen Creek, across some beautiful landscape to Frazier Canyon where we will turn west into the canyon and follow it deeper into the Superstitions and some really rugged terrain before we come out at our next camp at Peralta Trail head.

Day 12. Wed.: After yesterdays long ride, today is set aside for a late breakfast and leisurely ride to an ancient hieroglyphic canyon and return to camp to relax and enjoy a gorgeous sunset before supper.

Day 13 Thu.: We'll ride further through the wilderness area up and into several scenic canyons passing by weaver's needle. Camp will be at first water. (25 miles)

Day 14 Fri.: We'll ride Bolder Canyon Trail to Canyon Lake. The end of the trail takes us back to camp where we will enjoy a farewell dinner before loading up and heading to Phoenix for our last night and long hot shower.
Day 15 Sat.: Hotel shuttle to the airport in the morning.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Roomy three season tents w/cots and pillows (we also have spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights). A hot shower facility in one of the support vehicles. Hot water is always available from a large pot and wash bains to accommodate those wishing only to shave or freshen up. Although there will always be water to use, please remember that it is a precious commodity here in the desert so conservation is the key word.

Wholesome tasty meals prepared in a modern day chuck wagon are served in a variety of menus throughout the ride. Beef, pork, chicken, or spaghetti, with fresh vegetables, bread or rolls, potatoes or rice and an occasional southwest meals for dinner are served family style around a table. Breakfast menus consist of eggs, pancakes, toast, Bisquits, potatoes and gravy bacon and sausage, juice and a lot of coffee, tea, and cocoa.

Drinking water and water bottles are provided; flavoured drink mix (iced tea and fruit punch) and electrolytes are also provided and you are encouraged to use them here in this southwest heat.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.